New York Fashion Week spring 2014: Joseph Altuzarra review

NEW YORK -- Joseph Altuzarra was in the news last week when it was announced that luxury goods conglomerate Kering (formerly named PPR) invested in his burgeoning brand. So expectations were high for his collection, shown Saturday night at New York Fashion Week. And Altuzarra did not disappoint.

The inspiration: Japanese Boro clothing, or "everyday garments patched and pieced to prolong their usefulness for the farmers and fishermen who wore them," according to the show notes.

The look: Utilitarian Japanese work wear and ethnic accents spun into sultry luxury. Menswear-inspired ticking stripe silk or indigo patchwork button-down shirts tucked into sexy-as-hell, high-slit pencil skirts. Subtle, leather fringe trim on shirts, jackets and pants that morphed into all-over fringe on dresses and a jacket. A sexy new spin on tuxedo dressing in the form of a black tropical wool blazer with an embroidered ribbon holding the jacket closed across the cleavage area, worn with tux pants. And a gold metallic thread tank dress that was the ultimate in louche luxe.

The verdict: Utilitarian elevated to extraordinary. After detouring from his core sexy bohemian look a bit last season, Altuzarra is back on track. This was a collection full of intricate details, and you could see the work and thought that went into every piece.